Fall lawn care tips
Some simple steps now will get you off to a great start next spring
Aeration
If the soil under your lawn is compacted, water will pool and the grass may be sparse. Fall aeration will help.
Top dressing
After the last mowing before winter (mow at 6 cm, 2 1/2 inches), rake a thin layer 1 cm (1/2 inch) deep of compost or topsoil over the grass. The nutrients in the top dressing will green up the lawn early next spring.
Overseeding and the drought tolerant lawn
You can change the grass in your lawn to a more drought tolerant species such as Creeping Red Fescue, Hard Fescue, Fine Fescue or Perennial Ryegrass.
Seed at a rate of 5 kg/100 sq m and lightly rake into the top dressing. The trick in seeding is to do it late enough in the season so that germination won't occur until spring. If germination occurs and is followed by a hard frost or winter, the seedlings may be killed.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing with a fall or winter fertilizer that is a slow release will benefit your lawn next spring. Read the fertilizer bag to make sure the nitrogen is in a slow release form. Sulphur coated urea (SCU) and IB Diurea (IBDU) are slow release forms that are dependent on moisture for release, not high temperatures.
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Last updated: Friday, February 19, 2010
Page ID: 2671